Quality assurance director vs quality systems manager

The differences between quality assurance directors and quality systems managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a quality assurance director and a quality systems manager. Additionally, a quality assurance director has an average salary of $140,937, which is higher than the $102,625 average annual salary of a quality systems manager.

The top three skills for a quality assurance director include continuous improvement, quality standards and oversight. The most important skills for a quality systems manager are continuous improvement, quality management system, and FDA.

Quality assurance director vs quality systems manager overview

	Quality Assurance Director	Quality Systems Manager
Yearly salary	$140,937	$102,625
Hourly rate	$67.76	$49.34
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	66,888	123,519
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a quality assurance director do?

The job of a quality assurance (QA) director is to oversee all QA functions across the company. Your duties typically include working closely with other department heads to deliver high-quality products on time, hiring managers and analysts, and establishing and maintaining a quality system to make sure that company guidelines and regulatory standards are met. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring quality by monitoring, appraising job results, and planning. You are also expected to maintain technical and professional knowledge by reviewing professional publications, participating in professional associations, and attending workshops.

What does a quality systems manager do?

A quality systems manager is an individual who monitors the production processes of a manufacturing firm to ensure that factory machinery and people produce goods and products according to the company and industry requirements. Quality systems managers are required to supervise supervisors and inspectors to make sure that quality control measures are carried out properly. They must develop and improve all policies and procedures, which can impact the effectiveness of the company's quality systems. Quality systems managers are also required to coordinate with the top management in formulating company policies.

Quality assurance director vs quality systems manager salary

Quality assurance directors and quality systems managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Quality Assurance Director	Quality Systems Manager
Average salary	$140,937	$102,625
Salary range	Between $97,000 And $203,000	Between $72,000 And $145,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	South San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Upstart Network	Meta
Best paying industry	Professional	Pharmaceutical

Differences between quality assurance director and quality systems manager education

There are a few differences between a quality assurance director and a quality systems manager in terms of educational background:

	Quality Assurance Director	Quality Systems Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Quality assurance director vs quality systems manager demographics

Here are the differences between quality assurance directors' and quality systems managers' demographics:

	Quality Assurance Director	Quality Systems Manager
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 63.8% Female, 36.2%	Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between quality assurance director and quality systems manager duties and responsibilities

Quality assurance director example responsibilities.

Manage the USDA inspection process including coordinating daily production and communicating with federal personnel.
Manage initial USDA regulatory visits, working collaboratively with USDA inspectors leading audit preparation and follow-up activities and reports.
Direct and coordinate quality and regulatory affairs activities to support new product development, improving GMP compliance.
Provide GxP support and oversight for all Genocea development programs.
Set and execute vision for QRM consistent with corporate objectives and ICH Q9.
Develop and update metrics within the QMS to provide meaningful feedback to stakeholders.

Quality systems manager example responsibilities.

Lead Kaizen event to improve receiving inspection area for better product flow.
Develop stability protocols and manage stability studies for drug and device products using FDA guidelines.
Perform supplier audits, GMP company audits, project management, and annual drug reviews.
Coordinate the relaunch of the HACCP program.
Provide guidance and oversight on quality assurance and quality control issues.
Implement hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) program for risk management.

Quality assurance director vs quality systems manager skills

Common quality assurance director skills

Continuous Improvement, 8%
Quality Standards, 7%
Oversight, 5%
Test Automation, 5%
Scrum, 4%
FDA, 4%

Common quality systems manager skills

Continuous Improvement, 7%
Quality Management System, 7%
FDA, 6%
CAPA, 5%
Medical Devices, 5%
Corrective Action, 4%

Quality Assurance Director vs. similar jobs

Quality Assurance Director related careers

Quality Assurance Director related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Quality Assurance Director
Quality Assurance Director vs Quality Systems Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs